About this blog

This blog is about old trucks and any other historical matters that I feel like writing about. John and I have four old trucks, a 1976 N1025 Volvo, which John purchased new, a 1974 1418 Mercedes Benz, a 1989 Volvo 12 Intercooler and a 1973 F86 Volvo which is also known as 'the Bubble'. John is a Cartage Contractor and has driven and owned trucks for over 50 years.

About Me

I am the Local History Librarian at at Public Library Service in the south-east suburbs of Melbourne. I am also the President of the Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp Historical Society, the secretary of the South Eastern Historical Association and the Trafalgar Truck Restorers Club.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Commercial Cars was formed in 1905 and during the First World War they produced over 3,000 4 ton trucks. After the war the company changed it's name to Commer Cars. Around the same time, the Company got into difficulties and in 1926 they were taken over by Humber. The Rootes Group then took over Humber in 1928 as well as Karrier Motors. After the Second World War the Rootes Group also acquired Vulcan Motor Company and Tilling-Stevens. The Rootes Group was taken over by Chrysler in 1973 (although they had first bought into the company in 1964). The Commer name was not used after 1976.

Here's a selection of Commers taken at various locations over the past few years.

Commer Superpoise. The Superpoise range was first produced in 1955.

Golden Oldies Tuck Show at Dubbo in 2012

Superpoise at Hunter Valley truck muster in 2011

Another Superpoise at the Sydney Classic and Antique Truck show in 2012.

A retired Superpoise seen at Avoca in 2009

Graeme Johnston's 1960 Commer Knocker at Longwarry Truck show in 2014

Steve Camilleri's Knocker at the Echuca Truck show in 2013

Peter Maude's Commer displayed at the Ballarat Branch of the HCVC truck show at Clunes in 2012

John Gramlick's 1961 Commer Knocker and 1954 strap trailer at Longwarry Truck Show in 2014 and a close up of the truck below at Trucks in Action, Lardner Park Warragul in 2012

This Commer was at the Ballarat Branch of the HCVC truck show at Clunes in 2012

Bruce Gunter's Commer at the Hunter Valley Truck Muster in 2011 and another view of it, below, at the Sudney Classic and Antique Truck Show in 2012

A restorer's delight displayed at the Ballarat Branch of the HCVC truck show at Clunes in 2012

Another restorer's delight displayed at the Ballarat Branch of the HCVC truck show at Clunes, this time in 2014

Lancefield Truck Show 2014 and shown below so you can see the tray, at the Echuca Truck show in 2013.

A neat Commer at the Ballarat Branch of the HCVC truck show at Clunes in 2012

HCVC Display day at Sandown in 2008

Sale Vintage Tractor Club rally at Longford in 2009.

A trio of Commers at the HCVC Display day at Sandown in 2011.

John Gramlick's 1970 Commer van at Longwarry Truck Show in 2014.

Warren Harris' Karrier at the Ballarat Branch of the HCVC truck show at Clunes in 2014